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The Spaceport in French Guiana has resumed its pace for Arianespace’s busy 2017 mission manifest, with operations recommencing for the three subsequent launches – using two Ariane 5s and one Soyuz.

Next up is Flight VA236, set for May 4, to loft two spacecraft: SGDC for VISIONA Tecnologia Espacial S.A. on behalf of the Brazilian operator Telebras S.A., and KOREASAT-7 for South Korean operator ktsat.

SGDC has a liftoff mass estimated at 5,735 kg. and is the mission’s upper passenger. Riding in the lower passenger position is KOREASAT-7, with a mass at liftoff of approximately 3,680 kg.

A pair of Thales Alenia Space-built satellites on Flight VA236

For this fourth Arianespace mission of 2017, both payloads are based on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus series of satellite platforms.

Once operation at an orbital position of 75 deg. West with Ka- and X-band transponders, the dual-use SGDC will provide sovereign and secure means for Brazilian government and defense strategic communications, as well as high-quality Internet services to all of the Brazilian territory as part of the National Broadband Plan.

KOREASAT-7 is to be positioned at 116 deg. East, providing a full range of video and data applications – including Internet access, direct-to-home broadcasting (DTH), government communications and connectivity for VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) networks. Its coverage area encompasses Korea, the Philippines, the Indochinese Peninsula, India and Indonesia.